EARLY AREA HISTORY GIVEN TO MUSEUM

Leelanau Enterprise-Tribune
6 June 1974 pg 13

An original copy of "The Traverse Region-Historical & Descriptive - Illustrated" by H. R. Page published in 1884, has been donated to the Leelanau Historical Society Museum at Leland. The book was also in the news a week ago when it was announced in the Enterprise that it is being reprinted in an 1974 edition. The book covers the early days of nine counties including Leelanau, Grand Traverse, Benzie, Kalkaska, and others.

It contains illustrations and engravings, county maps, county scenes, history from the time of the mound builders to 1884, as well as stories of the trials and tribulations of the early pioneers in this nine-county area. Other feathers of the book include Indian legends and tales, stories of Mackinac Island, of the French fur traders and early missionaries, logging days, early settlers, early schools and churches, historical description of King Strang and Beaver Island, the Traverse City settlement including Hannah & Lay Mercantile Co., Dexter & Noble of Elk Rapids, and historic beginnings of each and every town and village then in the region, including many that are now ghost towns.

The book was present to the Leelanau Historical Society recently by Nancy Campbell Ridgeway, a niece of Nan Helm, who wrote books and articles about Leelanau County and who was a long-time member of and helped organize the Leelanau Historical Society, and by Sybil W. Isles, who was also related (by marriage) to Nan Helm.

A native of Burdickville, Miss Helm was for a long time president of the Old Settlers Association and served for many years as a columnist of the Leelanau Enterprise, almost always writing about Leelanau County and its history. She died at the age of 92, in October, 1963. The book was accepted on behalf of the Society by Miss Emelia Schaub, who was also one of the organizers of the Society.

Other founders of the Society include: Preston Smith Sr., George Anderson Sr., and Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Billman and Judge Myles Kimmerly, who was the first president of the Society, all deceased. Nan Helm was the daughter of John Helm who in 1867 set up the first general store in Burdickvile. Nan was the second settler in Burdickville, coming three years after W. D. Burdick who in 1864 set up a saw and grist mill there. Burdick was married to Nancy Campbell, daughter of another early settler, Lachlin Campbell. Note: Preston Smith also wrote the local news column for Omena in the 1970s.

@Leelanau Region History by Brenda K. Wolfgram Moore Email Brenda with comments or help with family names MIGenWeb Grand Traverse 1Oct2008